Checklists

Jack and I left the Guest House in Libreville this morning and took a flight on the mission plane down to Bongolo this afternoon.  It was good to get settled in and meet new friends while reacquainting with old friends.  We had a wonderful dinner with the Thelanders followed by some much needed rest ahead of a busy week.

After we boarded the small, single engine plane and prior to take-off, the pilot ran through his checklist making sure the equipment was functioning and we were safe to travel to Bongolo.  I am sure he has done this checklist many, many times yet I could tell he took each step seriously and was not skipping any of them.  In my world of anesthesia we also have similar checklists, making sure our equipment is properly functioning and that we have all the various drugs and backup supplies needed in case of emergency.  While the pilot's checklist is more robust (probably because he is getting on the plane), the similarities are there.  It may seem ridiculous at times to go thru these checklists as it rarely uncovers a problem, but they are necessary to avoid serious events. It's like getting back to the basics for each flight or each case.

I wonder what life would be like if each of us ran through a mental checklist in the morning prior to heading out for the day. We may be able to handle better the "stuff" that life throws at us. Part of my morning checklist is spending time in prayer and reading my Bible. Helps me get focused. What's on yours?

Libreville Guest House

We had an uneventful trip from Cincinnati-Paris and Paris-Libreville.  All our bags and equipment made it without a problem.  Thanks for your prayers for safe and smooth travels.  We are staying at the Guest House (pictured above) in Libreville tonight and tomorrow we take a small plane down to the mission hospital in Bongolo.  That's a good reminder that we are guests on this trip.

We are looking forward to getting settled in, reconnecting with the missionary physicians, missionaries, nurses, anesthetists and surgery residents.  Thanks again for all your prayers.  I hope to update frequently.

Jeff

Whose Stuff is Important?

Well, tomorrow we set out for Bongolo.  As is the case with these trips, there is usually more stuff to pack than capacity will allow.  Over the years I have come to realize that I need less stuff, making more room for the needs of the mission trip and the missionaries.  I am reminded that this is a good life application and really not just about mission trips.  We should continually strive to simplify our lives and weed out the unnecessary "my stuff" (material possessions, mindless media, etc) and replace it with "God stuff".  Matthew 6:19-21

Getting Ready for Another Trip

God has given me another opportunity to serve Him and the people of Bongolo Hospital.  On September 20, I will be returning for a two-week visit to Gabon with Jack Ewig, an oral surgeon from Dayton, Ohio.  We will be helping support the mission of the hospital by teaching and training the PAACS residents and other health care workers as well as taking care of the patients with love and compassion.  It is exciting to return to Bongolo again.  Please pray for us.  Click on the above tabs for specific prayer requests and our itinerary.  To God be the glory.

Post Trip Thoughts

Bongolo - Changed Lives

God is doing great things at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, Africa.  Both short-term and long-term, He is changing the lives of all those involved in the hospital and mission complex.  Patients, healthcare workers, missionaries, visiting physicians, families and more are being changed physically, educationally, and spiritually by His power and wisdom.

Physically

Through His power and the skills He has given to the physicians and nurses, God, the great Healer, is changing the lives physically for many people at Bongolo.  I think of the children with club feet who now have a chance to grow up and walk normally.  They will not be marginalized by society and can be productive, hopefully getting an education and job someday.  I think of the adults with fractures either not repaired or wrongly fixed who may now live pain free with better function.  I think of the trauma patient who had emergency life-saving surgery and is recovering well and chooses to stay at Bongolo for better care rather than go home to the capital city.

God is sustaining the permanent healthcare workers and missionaries at Bongolo.  Despite the difficulties of living in the jungle (high heat and humidity, bugs, little air conditioning, isolation from modern conveniences, etc.) the staff presses on to help those who are sick and to share the love of Jesus with them and their families.  As a visiting physician way out of my comfort zone physically, God gave me the strength to proceed and serve Him in the jungle.  He sustains!

Educationally
God, the great Teacher, is providing a foundation of education for both physicians and nurses at Bongolo.  In His great wisdom, Christian doctors from all over Africa are being trained in surgery at Bongolo and upon completion will return to their home countries.  When they return they will not only be skilled as surgeons capable of helping in underserved areas, they will also be bringing the Gospel witness with them to share.  Some of these countries are predominantly Muslim with limited access from foreigners.  These men can return to their countries with minimal limitations.  Praise God.
As a visiting physician, I was able to show the doctors and nurses new practical anesthesia techniques to help them care for their patients.  They can use these skills at Bongolo and throughout Africa when they return to their home countries.  Thank you God for giving me these skills to pass on.  Mike Welker, an orthopedist and friend of mine demonstrated to the physicians and nurses new surgical techniques.  It is new techniques like these that change lives--both surgeon and patient.
God is training young missionary surgeons at Bongolo to expand His kingdom.  Through a post-residency fellowship coordinated by Samaritan's Purse, Zach and Jen O’Connor will spend 2 years at Bongolo learning all the various facets of missionary medicine.  They can then proceed to other mission hospitals where needed most to care for patients and share Christ’s love.

Spiritually
God, through His Spirit and faithful workers, is changing the hearts of people daily at Bongolo.  The Gospel message is shared with every patient and many come to a relationship with Jesus during their stay at the hospital.  The hospital has a reputation for great care throughout Gabon.  Patients will travel many miles from multiple countries, passing other hospitals along the way, to get care.  What a great way to expand your field of evangelism!!  God is bringing the people to the workers.  Amen.  
The doctors training in surgery are all followers of God who live out their faith daily.  While gaining an education in surgery they are also growing in God through Bible studies and mentor relationships.  It was a joy to interact with them on a spiritual and biblical plain.  God has blessed them for making the commitment to become excellent Christian surgeons returning home to spread His message.
Through this experience, my heart has been changed as well.  God took me out of my comfort zones and allowed me to rely on Him for strength and support.  He allowed me to endure the high heat, humidity, bugs, etc. and sustained me.  Over 60% of the surgical cases were on pediatric patients.  In my practice in the US, I do less that 1% pediatrics.  He was there to guide my hands and mind taking care of these precious children.  With very limited technology and a minimal safety net, we were able to safely proceed with the surgeries.  He was there.
I went into the trip with an attitude of openness--trying to gain some insight as to how this experience may change my life in some way.  Kind of a like, “OK God, what next?”  Well, isn’t it like God to speak to you in the strangest places.  He gave me an idea as I was floating in an inner tube down the river.  While I need to continue to pray about what this will look like, I feel a calling to teach anesthesia in places like this (mission hospitals, underserved hospitals with minimal resources, etc.).  While the anesthesia is decent at Bongolo, there is much room for improvement.  I heard on more than one occasion from different missionaries how it needs to be improved (you think God was saying something here).  God has given me the talents and desire to do this.  We will start with developing an anesthesia training curriculum for the Bongolo Hospital.  If all goes well, my desire would be to spread this training throughout Africa and even to other continents, God willing.  God is providing great care through His missionary surgeons throughout the world.  There should be safe and excellent anesthesia to go along with this.  It will only serve to enhance the reputation of these hospitals thereby allowing His Word to reach more people.

Back Home

Back home from a great trip.  God did some great things at Bongolo Hospital over the last two weeks and will continue to work there for years to come.  Many lives were changed both physically and spiritually, and both patients and caregivers.  Thanks again for all your support and prayers.

Check out some pictures here.

Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Heading Home

This afternoon we will be heading home from Africa.  What a great experience to serve alongside the missionary and Gabonese people here at Bongolo Hospital!  God is doing some amazing work here.  Despite the difficulty at times and being out of my comfort zone on occasion, God provided the peace, wisdom, and strength to get through it.  He has challenged me through this time to rely on Him more.

I am looking forward to getting home.  We are already thinking and planning for a return trip.  The needs are great here for clinical training of the Gabonese people.

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Pray for our safe travels home.